Unofficial news and tips about Google

August 5, 2010

Google Dictionary Has a New Content Provider

Google's English dictionary switched from the Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary to the Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. The definitions from the Collins dictionary are easier to understand, while the Oxford dictionary is more traditional.

Here are two definitions of the word "swot":

Collins: "If you call someone a swot, you disapprove of the fact that they study extremely hard and are not interested in other things."

Oxford: "A person who studies hard, esp. one regarded as spending too much time studying."

I think Collins' definitions are easier to remember. Nonetheless, I have no problem at all trying the Oxford dictionary. However, they haven't implemented the spelling through the International Phonetic Alphabet, neither the pronunciation, which I find very useful.

I'm really sad that the pronunciation feature is no longer supported. The pronunciation feature of the previous Google Dictionary is my most important reason to use this service. Now I have to look for a new free dictionary service which support audio pronunciation.

Anonymous, you'll find audio pronunciation and a choice of British and US transcription in the free version of the Macmillan English Dictionary.Also the only free English learner's dictionary to include thesaurus links for individual senses (meanings) of the headword.-- English prof

As a foreigner who has been striving to learn English, I really miss the old dictionary. It had much more examples which could not only help me understand the connotations of the vocabulary, but also let me know how to use them. In addition, the old dictionary contained many useful idioms and phrases which the current barely has.

I used to love Google Dictionary so much; every time after I looked up a word in it, I was excited because I learned something more. Now, I just get confused and disappointed again and again, and start to hate Google.

I have starred nearly a thousand of words, idioms and phrases in my Google account and been using it as a vocabulary book (I memorize them and go over and over again to enhance the memory). Now a large part of the word links lead to mere blank.

I don't know why Google have to change providers again and again as some other commentators said; I can only assume they have good monetary reasons, which would render my complains here sheer nonsense.